Correlation of Pulse Oximetry and Co‐oximetry

Pulse oximetry is an important advancement in noninvasive monitoring and assessment of arterial blood oxygenation. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and pulse oximetry (SpO2) in critically ill patients using the ear and finger probes. Arterial oxygen saturation was measured simultaneously by pulse oximetry with a finger and ear probe and an arterial blood gas sample. Results indicated that SpO2 does trend SaO2 but it appears that SpO2 measured by the finger probe is more closely correlated to SaO2 than SpO2 measured with an ear probe in this study sample.